The six-year limit on work permits is simply pandering to political racists, according to a leading member of the Chamber of Commerce.

J.C. (Kit) Astwood, Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, dubbed the term limit on work permits "social engineering" yesterday.

"Social engineering issues such as six year non-renewable permits for overseas skilled workers has to be seen for what it is - a sop to the political racists and left wing as a compromise to the social engineering promise of getting rid of foreign workers," said Mr. Astwood.

The term limits on work permits were brought in in 2001 following extensive discussions between Government and the business community. From that date, work permits were not to be renewed beyond six years, although "key" workers were to be exempt.

The business community, particularly the international business sector, has opposed the move and has asked for clarification on the definition of "key worker".

Mr. Astwood, speaking to The Royal Gazette in his role with the Chamber of Commerce, said that Government recognised that Bermuda did not have enough workers to meet the demand and that and additional 700 workers had had to be brought in every year since 1999 - a total of 2,800 new jobs since this time.

He pointed to published research carried out by the Monitor Group and himself which he said showed Bermuda had a birth rate of about 700 per year, while between 1,200 and 1,700 jobs were made available every year.

"It is simple maths. This is through jobs becoming available by either retirement, sickness, people quitting or women taking time out to have children," he said. "And it was agreed by this Government that the replacement of skills was an economic necessity."

And he said that the term limit on work permits could hurt the Island's economy rather than balance out social injustices.

"The best skills will not come to Bermuda if they are subject to any Government social engineering," Mr. Astwood said.

"To support this argument this Government, since 1999, accepts and supports that Bermuda will be bringing in 700 or more overseas people every year with skills not available in Bermuda."

Last week the head of the Association of Bermuda International Companies, David Ezekiel also raised concern over the six year term limit.

"Very soon we will be bumping up against the six-year work permit rule and as that date gets closer, the whole implementation of that rule becomes an issue."

Mr. Ezekiel added that there was a whole host of unknowns about the rule and the impending deadline with the issue of what a key worker was still unclear.

"How it is going to be implemented will affect the career decisions of people at all stages of their careers," he said, adding that it was already affecting work-permit holders who were deciding to up and leave before having a decision made for them.

Mr. Astwood also pointed to an article published in The Royal Gazette yesterday in which Government backbencher Arthur Hodgson lamented the lack of a new vision for the Island. He said Government had failed to radically change Bermuda, but added there was no need to radically change the Island.

"It shows we have got the economy right. What is his vision? If he has a plan, let's see it," said Mr. Astwood. "If that (radical change) happened, the economy may suffer, especially if we offer social medicine - that practically ruined Great Britain.

"At election time these radical things come up and we just have to weather the storm."

And he said that while retail was still weak, hotels were doing better and insurance, banking and the financial sector were strong.

"Social engineering in an island the size of Bermuda will not work," he said. "The economy is too small and we are not diverse enough in that economy. We are not big enough. We are just a tiny, tiny Island and we are tinkering all the time with it to make it better.

"We must not lose sight of the main aim - stability. And that is not just financial stability, but also social stability so people feel happy and well taken care of."